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'96 Dodge Neon

G

Gusty987

Golden Member
Hi I have a '96 Dodge Neon 4-DR sedan. It came with absolutely no sound system. I am buying a CD deck for it but I first need to install an antenna. Where could I buy an antenna and does anyone know anything about installing antennas onto cars?

Here is the wiring I already have in the dash where the head unit goes.

Here is the wiring in the roof of the trunk where rear speakers will go.

Is that all the wiring I need?
 
Originally posted by: woowoo
I recommend the "Coatanger"
It is versatile and vandalism may improve reception.
Click to expand...


good point. i recommend getting professional installation. thats what i did for my 1200w subwoofer system.

also, just because u replace the deck doesnt mean u speakers will sound any better. think about getting some 2,3-way speakers in the back to improve sound quality. stock speakers are absolutely horrible.
 
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Hi I have a '96 Dodge Neon 4-DR sedan. It came with absolutely no sound system. I am buying a CD deck for it but I first need to install an antenna. Where could I buy an antenna and does anyone know anything about installing antennas onto cars?
Click to expand...

Also, if you just got this car, go ahead and buy a head gasket for it and set aside $600.00-$800.00 for the labor.

My wife and I both had these cars, and between the two, we went thru five head gaskets. Luckily, four were covered under warranty.

As far as an antenna, you can get those at Walmart.
 
Originally posted by: hugobomber
Originally posted by: woowoo
I recommend the "Coatanger"
It is versatile and vandalism may improve reception.
Click to expand...


good point. i recommend getting professional installation. thats what i did for my 1200w subwoofer system.

also, just because u replace the deck doesnt mean u speakers will sound any better. think about getting some 2,3-way speakers in the back to improve sound quality. stock speakers are absolutely horrible.
Click to expand...


Actually I don't have speakers right now. I have absolutely nothing.

How hard will it be for me (a beginner) to personally install speakers, antenna, and deck?
 
Originally posted by: UsandThem
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Hi I have a '96 Dodge Neon 4-DR sedan. It came with absolutely no sound system. I am buying a CD deck for it but I first need to install an antenna. Where could I buy an antenna and does anyone know anything about installing antennas onto cars?
Click to expand...

Also, if you just got this car, go ahead and buy a head gasket for it and set aside $600.00-$800.00 for the labor.

My wife and I both had these cars, and between the two, we went thru five head gaskets. Luckily, four were covered under warranty.

As far as an antenna, you can get those at Walmart.
Click to expand...

I have 78K on my 96. Had a blown Headgasket about 9K ago. Paid $200 to the dealer to get it fixed!

Other than that the car has givin me ZEERO Problems in the 4+ years we have owned it.

Maint, Maint, Maint!
 
Originally posted by: tm37
Originally posted by: UsandThem
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Hi I have a '96 Dodge Neon 4-DR sedan. It came with absolutely no sound system. I am buying a CD deck for it but I first need to install an antenna. Where could I buy an antenna and does anyone know anything about installing antennas onto cars?
Click to expand...

Also, if you just got this car, go ahead and buy a head gasket for it and set aside $600.00-$800.00 for the labor.

My wife and I both had these cars, and between the two, we went thru five head gaskets. Luckily, four were covered under warranty.

As far as an antenna, you can get those at Walmart.
Click to expand...

I have 78K on my 96. Had a blown Headgasket about 9K ago. Paid $200 to the dealer to get it fixed!

Other than that the car has givin me ZEERO Problems in the 4+ years we have owned it.

Maint, Maint, Maint!
Click to expand...

I did the maintnance, however it did not help the head gasket from warping because of its design. After the third one went, I did an online search, and the 1996 was a new design and there seems to be an extemely high failure rate.

 
Originally posted by: UsandThem
Originally posted by: tm37
Originally posted by: UsandThem
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Hi I have a '96 Dodge Neon 4-DR sedan. It came with absolutely no sound system. I am buying a CD deck for it but I first need to install an antenna. Where could I buy an antenna and does anyone know anything about installing antennas onto cars?
Click to expand...

Also, if you just got this car, go ahead and buy a head gasket for it and set aside $600.00-$800.00 for the labor.

My wife and I both had these cars, and between the two, we went thru five head gaskets. Luckily, four were covered under warranty.

As far as an antenna, you can get those at Walmart.
Click to expand...

I have 78K on my 96. Had a blown Headgasket about 9K ago. Paid $200 to the dealer to get it fixed!

Other than that the car has givin me ZEERO Problems in the 4+ years we have owned it.

Maint, Maint, Maint!
Click to expand...

That was fixed in 1998. Any HG replaced after Mid-98 should have been the new design that goes not leak.

I did the maintnance, however it did not help the head gasket from warping because of its design. After the third one went, I did an online search, and the 1996 was a new design and there seems to be an extemely high failure rate.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Originally posted by: hugobomber
Originally posted by: woowoo
I recommend the "Coatanger"
It is versatile and vandalism may improve reception.
Click to expand...


good point. i recommend getting professional installation. thats what i did for my 1200w subwoofer system.

also, just because u replace the deck doesnt mean u speakers will sound any better. think about getting some 2,3-way speakers in the back to improve sound quality. stock speakers are absolutely horrible.
Click to expand...


Actually I don't have speakers right now. I have absolutely nothing.

How hard will it be for me (a beginner) to personally install speakers, antenna, and deck?
Click to expand...

Here's what you need... a walkman/discman, some cheap computer speakers that don't require external power, and some duct tape. Putting any more money than that into a stereo for a 96 Neon makes absolutely no sense.
 
Here's the million dollar question: Do you feel comfortable ripping apart your interior? However, chances are the wiring is already there for the stereo. That saves a lot of headaches. Then what you'll want to do is find install guides for your car. They'll show you how to install the speakers and all that stuff. For the headunit you'll need to get a harness adapter. As for the antenna, the simplest thing to do is goto a junkyard or something and get an OEM one, especially if its a power one. I don't really like universal ones since they never tend to fit quite right.

Oh, give a friend a 12-pack of beer and get him to do all the work😛
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Here's the million dollar question: Do you feel comfortable ripping apart your interior? However, chances are the wiring is already there for the stereo. That saves a lot of headaches. Then what you'll want to do is find install guides for your car. They'll show you how to install the speakers and all that stuff. For the headunit you'll need to get a harness adapter. As for the antenna, the simplest thing to do is goto a junkyard or something and get an OEM one, especially if its a power one. I don't really like universal ones since they never tend to fit quite right.

Oh, give a friend a 12-pack of beer and get him to do all the work😛
Click to expand...

Now thats some good stuff, thanks. Could you explain what is a "harness adapter"? Is it something that I need to make the deck fit in the dashboard or something?
 
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Originally posted by: hugobomber
Originally posted by: woowoo
I recommend the "Coatanger"
It is versatile and vandalism may improve reception.
Click to expand...


good point. i recommend getting professional installation. thats what i did for my 1200w subwoofer system.

also, just because u replace the deck doesnt mean u speakers will sound any better. think about getting some 2,3-way speakers in the back to improve sound quality. stock speakers are absolutely horrible.
Click to expand...


Actually I don't have speakers right now. I have absolutely nothing.

How hard will it be for me (a beginner) to personally install speakers, antenna, and deck?
Click to expand...

I think this work is rather easy to do. Actually, that's on a car that is already wired, not sure how difficult it would be for you. I recommend just getting it professionally done if possible.
 
Originally posted by: TheAudit
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Originally posted by: hugobomber
Originally posted by: woowoo
I recommend the "Coatanger"
It is versatile and vandalism may improve reception.
Click to expand...


good point. i recommend getting professional installation. thats what i did for my 1200w subwoofer system.

also, just because u replace the deck doesnt mean u speakers will sound any better. think about getting some 2,3-way speakers in the back to improve sound quality. stock speakers are absolutely horrible.
Click to expand...


Actually I don't have speakers right now. I have absolutely nothing.

How hard will it be for me (a beginner) to personally install speakers, antenna, and deck?
Click to expand...

I think this work is rather easy to do. Actually, that's on a car that is already wired, not sure how difficult it would be for you. I recommend just getting it professionally done if possible.
Click to expand...


I think it is already wired, just no "hardware" if you see what I mean.
 
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Here's the million dollar question: Do you feel comfortable ripping apart your interior? However, chances are the wiring is already there for the stereo. That saves a lot of headaches. Then what you'll want to do is find install guides for your car. They'll show you how to install the speakers and all that stuff. For the headunit you'll need to get a harness adapter. As for the antenna, the simplest thing to do is goto a junkyard or something and get an OEM one, especially if its a power one. I don't really like universal ones since they never tend to fit quite right.

Oh, give a friend a 12-pack of beer and get him to do all the work😛
Click to expand...

Now thats some good stuff, thanks. Could you explain what is a "harness adapter"? Is it something that I need to make the deck fit in the dashboard or something?
Click to expand...

It allows you to interface the harness from your HU to the harness plug that's already in the dash.
 
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: Gusty987
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Here's the million dollar question: Do you feel comfortable ripping apart your interior? However, chances are the wiring is already there for the stereo. That saves a lot of headaches. Then what you'll want to do is find install guides for your car. They'll show you how to install the speakers and all that stuff. For the headunit you'll need to get a harness adapter. As for the antenna, the simplest thing to do is goto a junkyard or something and get an OEM one, especially if its a power one. I don't really like universal ones since they never tend to fit quite right.

Oh, give a friend a 12-pack of beer and get him to do all the work😛
Click to expand...

Now thats some good stuff, thanks. Could you explain what is a "harness adapter"? Is it something that I need to make the deck fit in the dashboard or something?
Click to expand...

It allows you to interface the harness from your HU to the harness plug that's already in the dash.
Click to expand...


Oh I see.
 
Here is the wiring I already have in the dash where the head unit goes.

Here is the wiring in the roof of the trunk where rear speakers will go.

Is that all the wiring I need?
 
Sorry I can't help you, there are quite a few good neon forums on the net I'm sure you could get help there. I have a 97 but it came prewired w/ radio, etc. The dash on the 1st Gen Neons is lego-like in that most of it unsnaps, so, if you have to run an antennae wire it shouldn't be as difficult as it is on some other cars.

I think there's still www.neons.org
and www.enthusiasts.com

As far as the headgasket, in 99 or so they released a TSB or something on the subject. There's a MLS headgasket now that's supposed to last longer, assuming it is installed properly and there isn't other damage preventing it from making a good fit. It may be partially covered under a warranty too, check out the above sites and see if you can find out more details.

After you get the radio figured out, start saving for this. 🙂
 
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